Bradenton awards grant money for construction of brewery

BRADENTON -- The Bradenton Downtown Development Authority approved $13,000 in grant money Tuesday to support a new craft beer brewery coming to Bradenton.

The projected two-story, 15,000-square-foot brewery at 1014 Ninth St. W. will include brewery tours, a tasting room, an outdoor patio and a beer garden.

The beer manufacturing facility, which has yet to be named, is expected to bring 30 to 50 jobs into Bradenton and create $1.8 million in economic impact within five years. Of that, about $200,000 will go directly to Bradenton's 14th Street Community Redevelopment Agency.

The DDA board approved a $10,000 building and site enhancement grant and a $3,000 Un-chain My Fence grant to build a black iron fence in front of the brewery and undeveloped land next to the property.

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Denise Tschida, co-owner of the brewery and property, attended the DDA meeting Tuesday. She said other possible locations had included St. Petersburg and Minneapolis.

"We're very committed to Bradenton and 14th Street CRA," she said.

Tschida said the brewery will reflect that of a 1930s Midwest brewery with red brick and stainless steel. The property will also include a path leading to the Village of the Arts and lighting of the two oak trees on the property.

Bradenton City Council members are expected to vote on the brewery plan Feb. 13.

Last week, Bradenton's city planning commission approved a special permit to operate the brewery and sell beer and wine.

David Gustafson, executive director of the DDA, has said employees at the brewery will earn an average annual salary of $48,000. He said Manatee County is in the process of formulating incentive grants totaling $30,000 if at least 30 jobs are created.

Tschida said the April 5 opening was planned to coincide with the Bradenton Marauders' season home opener at McKechnie Field.

"We certainly want to be a part of Marauders," she said. "We've talked with them. We couldn't be more thrilled to be here."

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